Giving Thanks

There's nothing like being ill for almost two weeks to make you truly thankful for good health! Feels like I've been battling this 'crud' seemingly forever, but at long last, I'm getting back to my old cantankerous self.

This is the time of year when we here in the States reflect on things for which we are thankful -- friends, family, health...

I'm thankful for all of those, of course! The members of my family are all doing fine. I have eight lovely grand nieces and nephews, with number nine due to make an appearance in mid-February.

I have lots of local friends who have called to check up on me, and whom I get to see on a regular basis. Plus I have a whole host of wonderful online friends who stay in touch with me most everyday. Some of them are waaay far away, but because of the internet, I feel close and connected to them no matter where they are.

Most of all, lately I've been so thankful for readers! I've said before, and will continue to say that fan mail really does make this 'writing gig' worthwhile. This was brought home to me even more than usual these past two weeks while I was sick. Nothing brightened my day more than email from readers! Here are excerpts from the last three I received:

Just finished "The Treasures of Venice" ... had to let you know how much I enjoyed it. The way you interwove the past and present was seamless. Thank you so much for doing what you do, tell an amazing story.

I recently bought and read both your books after my old high school friend recommended them. Enjoyed them both, and have passed them on to others who liked them too! Keep up the good writing!

I read your novel (The Wild Sight) last week. The best romantic suspense book I have ever read... detailed and sexy.

I AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR READERS!

"The Crud" and Florida Dreaming

UGH! I've been sick for the past four days with 'the crud' -- killer sore throat, hacking cough, and aching all over. Yes, Aunty dutifully went and got her flu shot, but apparently it was too little too late this year.

And if being sick wasn't bad enough, last night we had our first frost warning of the season. So COLD on top of being sick is soooo not my idea of a good time. Times like these make me daydream.

Remember the old rock classic "California Dreamin'?" Well, I live in California so in my case, I'm Florida dreamin'. In my mind, Florida is the ideal place to be in the winter, and one of my favorite places in Florida is the Keys.

That little string of islands extending off the tip of Florida is the perfect place for some rest and relaxation. In the winter, it's not humid, just sunny and warm (not hot) with pretty little beaches and gorgeous turquoise water. AHHHHH! I feel better just thinking about it...

Is there someplace you daydream about when the weather is uncomfortable and you're feeling cruddy? Let Aunty curl up with a cup of hot tea while you tell me all about it.

Second Thoughts on Second Times

My good friend and Bandita Trish Milburn has a weekly feature on her personal blog. On Thursdays she asks a writer friend to answer three questions. Last week she featured my answers. Unfortunately, I wasn't around to respond to the comments. Plus, one of the questions really made me pause and ponder. In fact, I pondered for several days, so I thought I'd repeat the question and my answer here.

If you were to go back to age 20, what would you do differently the second time around?

Just about everything! No really, you know how they say hindsight is 20/20? Well, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have to bumble around and make all those mistakes.

I wouldn’t worry so much about whether or not I could ‘afford’ to do something. Instead, I’d just do it! And I really wouldn’t care what anyone thought of me.

But seriously, with regard to my writing, I wouldn't wait so long to make a real commitment to getting my work published. I wouldn't worry so much about whether or not I had that magical "talent" because I'd know that dogged persistence is far more important.

I'd trust my writing process and not be so afraid to keep submitting and working on new projects.

I'm still working on this last issue, by the way.

What about you? Would you do things differently if you had a second chance?